ON THE COVER
She’s a survivor.
Alexis Rochefort beat
breast cancer and a
life-threatening infection.

North Shore Medical Center is a multi-site health system
located north of Boston that includes NSMC Salem Hospital,
NSMC Union Hospital and North Shore Physicians Group.
Together with Massachusetts General Hospital, we opened the
Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care in Danvers
in 2009. NSMC is a member of Partners HealthCare.

HealthyLife | Physical Therapy

Page 4 | The Healthy Life

A survivor of cancer and a
life-threatening infection,
Rochefort is healthy and reunited
with her beloved rescue dogs.

HealthyLife | NSMC Salem Hospital

DRAMATIC

RESCUE
Danvers Dog Trainer Bounces Back at NSMC Salem Hospital

G

rowing up, Alexis Rochefort was the only one in
her family desperate to get a dog. She pleaded until
finally, when Rochefort was 12, her father brought
home a golden retriever named Peaches, setting in
motion a love that would last a lifetime.
Today, Rochefort is a certified dog trainer and her rescues,
Rudy and Leo, are her constant companions. “My heart
belongs to rescue dogs,” says the Danvers resident. “Many
people see only their flaws; I see their potential.”
In August 2016, Rochefort’s training career was put on
hold after she learned that a lump she found on her upper
chest was Stage 2 breast cancer. “I was 40 years old with no
history of cancer in my family,” Rochefort says. “This wasn’t
supposed to happen to me.”
She began her treatment with chemotherapy, which
combats cancer, but can also weaken a patient’s immune
system. As a result, Rochefort developed a serious intestinal
infection called Clostridium Difficile or C. Diff. The
highly contagious bacteria is particularly dangerous for
patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Rochefort was rushed to NSMC Salem Hospital,
immediately placed in isolation and provided with nutrients
through a feeding tube. Meanwhile, her cancer treatment was
put on hold.
Because C. Diff can be resistant to antibiotics, physicians
at NSMC used a variety of medications to treat her infection,
and Rochefort eventually began to recover.
She spent 16 difficult days in NSMC Salem Hospital in
very serious condition, but always in good hands. “Over the
course of my illness, I lost 40 pounds and was as close to death
as I’ve ever been, but my care was extraordinary,” she says.

“The nurses were always encouraging me, always lifting
my spirits. I was scared, and if it weren’t for them, I would
have lost my will.” Nurses led her through a progression of
small but important victories—sitting up, taking a few steps,
getting into the shower. Physicians like hospitalist Elvis Patel,
M.D., also made it clear to Rochefort that the NSMC staff
took a holistic approach to caring for her. “Dr. Patel took the
time to sit and talk with me, not just about my condition,
but about my life outside the hospital,” Rochefort says. “That
personal connection meant the world to me.”
Shortly after Rochefort recovered from C. Diff, she
returned to intensive cancer treatment, including radiation
therapy at the Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center in
Danvers. Now, a year and a half later, she is cancer free, back
to work and grateful to be alive with Rudy and Leo. “All I see
for myself,” she says, “is potential.”

“

THE NURSES WERE ALWAYS
ENCOURAGING ME, ALWAYS
LIFTING MY SPIRITS. I WAS
SCARED, AND IF IT WEREN’T
FOR THEM, I WOULD HAVE
LOST MY WILL.”

The Healthy Life | Page 5

Physician Q&A

If you have a health question you would like answered by
our experts, send us an email at HealthyLife@partners.org.

Q | I’m worried I have a tick bite. When should I see a physician to
have it looked at?
Tick bites are often harmless and don’t cause any noticeable symptoms. But
Shawna L. Barry, M.D.
some ticks can be infected with bacteria, viruses or parasites that can lead
Internal Medicine
to serious illness in humans and pets. Many of the diseases ticks carry cause
flu-like symptoms, such as fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle aches. Symptoms may begin from one
day to three weeks after a bite. Sometimes a rash appears—Lyme disease can produce a bull’s-eye, for example
—along with the flu-like symptoms. Be sure to seek medical attention immediately if a tick bite results in these
symptoms. To contact Dr. Barry, please call 978-882-6700.

Q | How much water should I be drinking when I work out?
Water makes up about 60 percent of the adult body, and without
enough of it, dehydration can set in, causing dry mouth, fatigue,
Internal Medicine
headaches and muscle cramps. To stay hydrated, it is essential to
replace the water we lose through sweating and digestion. On average, an adult needs 11.4 to 15.6 cups (2.8 to
3.9 quarts) of fluids per day. When exercising, drink one to two cups of water or fluid before your workout and
an additional half to one cup every 15 to 20 minutes during your workout. Managing your hydration will lead
to better results and recovery. To contact Dr. Gosselin, please call 781-593-3400.

Ryan Gosselin, M.D., M.B.A.

Q | My doctor suggests I take omeprazole for my stomach. Are there
any side effects I should be aware of?
Omeprazole is commonly sold as Prilosec and used to treat symptoms
Lauren Shkolnik, D.O., M.P.H.
and conditions caused by excess stomach acid, including peptic ulcer
Gastroenterology
disease, gastritis, Helicobacter Pylori, and gastroesophageal reflux
disease. Side effects are uncommon and usually mild, such as headaches, nausea and abdominal pain. Serious
allergic reactions to this drug are rare. Long-term use has been associated with several concerns, including
diarrhea, mineral malabsorption, kidney disease and dementia. However, there isn’t consistent data available to
definitively link these outcomes to omeprazole. You should address any concerns you might have with your
physician. To contact Dr. Shkolnik, please call 978-741-4171.

Q | I just learned I am pregnant and I need to choose a prenatal
caregiver. What are my options?
Congratulations! Prenatal care can be provided by various medical
professionals, including obstetrician-gynecologists and certified nurse
Obstetrics and Gynecology
midwives. Your caregiver will be a vital resource throughout your
pregnancy. Be prepared for possible early symptoms of nausea and vomiting, sore breasts, fatigue, food cravings
and frequent trips to the bathroom. To contact an NSMC OB/GYN or midwife,
please visit nsmc.partners.org/birthplace.

Anastasia H. Koniaris, M.D.

Page 6 | The Healthy Life

STRIDING TOGETHER
FOR THEIR CAUSE
North Shore Community Raises More Than $650,000 for Cancer Care

T

housands of cancer patients, survivors, family members, friends and caregivers
came together in 2017 to raise awareness and money for oncology services at
NSMC and the Mass General/North Shore Cancer Center. In its 27th year, the
North Shore Cancer WALK along with the annual North Shore Cancer RUN and Gourmet
Gala collectively generated more than $650,000 for cancer care in this community.
Always inspirational, these signature events celebrate life, hope and courage by
honoring all those who have been touched by the disease. “The meaning and emotion
was palpable on WALK day,” says Allyson Preston, M.D., Chair of Obstetrics and
Gynecology at NSMC and a breast cancer survivor who served as co-chair of the 2017
WALK. “A cancer diagnosis is hard on anyone,” she says. “But when you see the number
of other people who turn out for the WALK, you know you’re not alone.”

Save the Dates!
NORTH SHORE
CANCER WALK

Sunday, June 24

NORTH SHORE
CANCER RUN

To learn more about the 2018 North Shore Cancer WALK and RUN, or to donate, please
visit www.northshorecancerwalk.org. See you at the starting line!

n North Shore Medical Center’s new hybrid vascular
operating room, state-of-the-art imaging technology
captures real-time, three-dimensional images that enable
surgeons to perform complex life-saving procedures.
The facility is the centerpiece of NSMC’s expanded
Vascular Center. Bringing together experts in vascular surgery,
interventional radiology, hyperbaric therapy and wound care,
the Center offers treatments for a wide range of circulatory
problems to help patients resume physical activities, slow or
stop the progression of vascular disease and reduce the risk of
heart attack or stroke.
The new hybrid operating room puts NSMC at the
leading edge of endovascular intervention and vascular
surgery. “Our talented endovascular physicians have access
to some of the most advanced imaging technology in the
nation,” says Miriam Neuman, M.D., vascular and
interventional radiologist and Chief of Interventional
Radiology at NSMC. “It is a powerful tool to provide
world-class care.”

Comprehensive Approach
The Center treats a full range of conditions involving the
vascular (or circulatory) system—the arteries and veins that
supply blood, oxygen and nutrients to every part of the body.
Complications arise when the flow of blood is restricted due
to a blockage or narrowing in the arteries, leading to stroke,
limb deterioration, pain or discomfort.
NSMC vascular specialists use the latest methods to treat
blockages and restore healthy blood flow. Treatments include
clot-dissolving medication and angioplasty, which involves
inserting a thin balloon-tipped tube (or catheter) into the
blocked artery, and placing a stent (a wire mesh tube) to
keep the artery open so blood can flow properly. For certain
conditions, surgeons may create a vascular bypass using a
vessel from another part of the body or a tube made of
synthetic fabric. This enables blood to flow around a
blocked or narrowed artery and can save lives and limbs.

Many patients can alleviate symptoms with simple
lifestyle changes such as exercise and improved diet. To help
patients suffering from Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)—a
narrowing of the peripheral arteries, most commonly in the
legs, but also in the stomach, arms, or head—NSMC recently
launched a comprehensive, physician-supervised program.
This service gives patients practical guidance and treatment
options, including exercise therapy, to reduce the cramping
and muscle pain caused by PAD and improve their quality
of life.
“Over the past few years, NSMC has been implementing
an ambitious expansion and development plan to provide
high-quality, integrated, accessible care to North Shore
families, and our Vascular Center is emblematic of this
effort,” says James Balcom, M.D., vascular surgeon and
Medical Director of NSMC’s Advanced Wound Center.
“We’re excited about the many ways our expanded service
will benefit our patients.”

“

OUR TALENTED ENDOVASCULAR
PHYSICIANS HAVE ACCESS TO
SOME OF THE MOST ADVANCED
IMAGING TECHNOLOGY IN
THE NATION.”

Learn More
Please visit nsmc.partners.org/vascular to learn more
about the NSMC Vascular Center.
Patients with circulatory conditions should first check
with their primary care physician, who can refer to a vascular
or interventional radiology specialist if additional treatment
is needed.

The Healthy Life | Page 9

HealthyLife | Giving

Arthur Epstein Pledges Largest Gift in NSMC’s History
New Behavioral Health Center to Be Named in His Honor

L

ongtime friend and supporter of North Shore Medical Center Arthur J. Epstein committed a gift
of $5 million toward NSMC’s plan to build a new behavioral health center at its Salem Campus.
The gift is the single largest donation in the 144-year history of the hospital.
In recognition of Epstein’s extraordinary philanthropy, NSMC will name the new center in
his honor. Scheduled to open in the fall of 2019 as part of NSMC’s $207 million plan to consolidate
hospital-based medical, surgical, behavioral health and emergency care on one campus in Salem (see below),
the state-of-the-art facility will enable NSMC to address the increasing demand for behavioral health
services and provide much needed care to the children, adults and seniors of this region. “I’m proud to
support North Shore Medical Center’s efforts to address this dire need in our health care system,”
Epstein said. “Families will have a place to go where they are assured their loved ones will receive excellent care.”
Now a resident of Brookline, Epstein previously lived with
his family in Marblehead for more than 50 years. He has served
on NSMC’s Board of Trustees since 2006.
“The NSMC community is deeply grateful to Arthur
for his longstanding support,” says NSMC President David
Roberts, M.D. “His historic gift is a reflection of his kindness
and concern for those in need, as well as an endorsement of
the professional, high-quality care NSMC provides. His gift
will benefit generations of North Shore families.”

BUILDING A HEALTHIER
NORTH SHORE
NSMC is consolidating hospital-based medical, surgical
and behavioral health services on its Salem Campus. When
construction is complete in the fall of 2019, NSMC will be
equipped to provide a wide spectrum of services to the North
Shore region.

Learn more about NSMC’s campus consolidation
project at nsmc.partners.org/healthier-north-shore.

The NSMC community, including President David Roberts, M.D.,
celebrated the final piece of structural steel being raised into
place at a ceremony last summer.

NSMC Receives
$1 Million to
Launch Robotic
Surgery Program
Davenport Family
Continues Legacy of
Support for NSMC
(From left to right) NSMC President David Roberts, M.D.; Marc Rubin, M.D., Chair of Surgery;
Urologist Anthony Filoso, M.D.; and Mike Davenport.

B

uilding on its tradition of surgical excellence,
NSMC is preparing to launch a Robotic Surgery
Program at its Salem Hospital campus. Supported
by a $1 million challenge grant from the Davenport
Fund, the program will be the only one of its kind on the
North Shore. “Adding robotic surgery to NSMC is an exciting
advance for our facility and our patients,” says Marc S. Rubin,
M.D., Chair of Surgery at NSMC.
The $1 million “challenge” grant kicked off a campaign
to raise an additional $1 million to purchase a state-of-the-art
surgical robot. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of
Mike Davenport and his family’s fund, and are optimistic
that others in our community will step forward as
we strive to raise an additional
$1 million in ongoing support,” says
Sara Andrews, Senior Vice President of
Development at NSMC. The robot will
enable surgeons to perform delicate and complex
procedures with enhanced precision. Andrews
expects that NSMC will acquire a robot this
summer and begin using it for urologic and prostate
cancer surgeries, as well as ear, nose and throat
procedures in the fall of 2018.
During robot-assisted surgery, a highly trained
surgeon operates robotic arms while seated at a
computer console that provides high-definition,
magnified and 3-D views of the surgical site.
“The robot is a remote extension of the
surgeon’s own hands but its instrumentation
enables finer access, maneuverability and technical precision,”
says Rubin. Other advantages of robotic surgery include
smaller incisions, reduced pain and discomfort, and faster
recovery for patients.

GENERATIONS OF
GENEROSITY
Since its establishment in 1976, the Davenport Fund has
provided $5.2 million in support of infrastructure and other
capital improvements at NSMC. Mike Davenport is today a
donor and volunteer for NSMC, continuing the service of his
late father, Horace “Davvy” Davenport. The former owner of
Pickering Oil Company, Horace moved to Swampscott in the
1930s and became involved in several community
organizations including Salem Hospital, where he served on
and later chaired the Board of Trustees. In addition to
the endowed fund, the Davenport
name graces a building at NSMC
Salem Hospital.

“NSMC is a world-class
institution and I’m enormously
proud and gratified that my
family has been able to play a part
in its success,” Mike Davenport says.
“This gift will ensure that patients across
the North Shore will continue to have
convenient access to the safest and
highest-quality care.”

rian Sanders, M.D., joined MassGeneral for
Children at North Shore Medical Center (NSMC)
as Chair of Pediatrics last summer, bringing a
wealth of experience to lead NSMC’s Pediatric
Emergency Department, newborn care in the Birthplace
and Special Care Nursery, as well as a range of pediatric
outpatient services.
Board certified in pediatrics and pediatric emergency
medicine, Sanders previously served as Medical Director of
Pediatric Emergency Medicine at Lowell General Hospital
and a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Boston
Children’s Hospital. He was an Instructor of Pediatrics at
Harvard Medical School, and currently is an Assistant
Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at Tufts University School of
Medicine. A husband and father of three children, he recently
talked to The Healthy Life about his background and passion
for pediatric medicine.

Page 14 | The Healthy Life

BRIAN SANDERS, M.D, CHAIR OF PEDIATRICS

What was most appealing to you about NSMC?
The opportunity to work with such an experienced and
talented team of physicians and nurses was a big draw, along
with the medical center’s affiliation with Partners HealthCare
and close partnership with MassGeneral Hospital for Children.
As a resident of the North Shore (Wenham), I also was excited
to work nearby and make a difference in the lives of families
who also call this community home.
How did your experience prepare you for your new role?
My background in pediatric emergency medicine has taught
me the importance of teamwork—staff working together
effectively to provide the best care possible. As a leader, I want
to foster an environment of vibrant collaboration. Lucky for
me, we have a great team at NSMC, not only in our Pediatric
Emergency Department, but also across a wide range of
specialties. Families turn to us at some of their most vulnerable
times and that is a responsibility we take very seriously. We are
always thinking about how to make each family’s experience
as pleasant as possible, while ensuring their child will be well
cared for in any situation. For example, we are introducing
an “Ouchless ER” to take the pain and anxiety out of kids’
experience in the emergency room (see sidebar).

Taking the

HealthyLife | Pediatric Care

“Ouch”

As Chairman, do you still have time to see patients?
More than half of my time is spent actively caring for children
in our Pediatric ER, and I find this hands-on approach gives
me a better sense of what both our staff and our patients are
experiencing. We have a great team of pediatricians,
neonatologists, psychiatrists and nurses, and I just want to
make sure I’m making it as easy as possible for them to do
what they love, and that’s care for kids.
What are your key initiatives?
My first priority was to cut down the wait times in our
Pediatric ER. Our “door-to-doctor” time averages only 30
minutes and overall time spent in the ER has been reduced
to 90 minutes, and we’re working to bring these times down
even further. I’ve been busy planning for the opening of our
new Pediatric ER and behavioral health facilities in the fall
of 2019, exciting developments for our staff and patients.
I’m also creating close relationships with community
pediatricians and family medicine doctors, connecting them
and their patients to the tremendous services offered by the
medical center.

Out of Emergency Care
Needles. Just the thought of them can leave kids
screaming and parents shuddering at the idea of a trip to
the emergency room. To help take the anxiety away,
MassGeneral for Children at North Shore Medical Center
has developed its “Ouchless ER” to alleviate the pain of
an unplanned trip to the hospital.

“Going to the emergency room is overwhelming enough
for kids,” says Brian Sanders, M.D., Chair of Pediatrics
at MassGeneral for Children at North Shore Medical Center.
“The goal of our ‘Ouchless ER’ is to make shots, stitches
and other procedures less scary with the help of noninvasive, pain-relief methods.”

What sets MassGeneral for Children at NSMC apart?
Our Pediatric ER is the only one on the North Shore staffed
24/7 with pediatric physicians and nurses. Beyond our ER,
we offer a full complement of pediatric care that includes
MassGeneral for Children specialists who offer dedicated
clinics in cardiology, endocrinology, gastroenterology and
nutrition, nephrology, pediatric surgery and rheumatology.
Through these clinics, patients and families can see
experts from MGH. We also provide diagnostic services,
behavioral health services, neurology, pulmonology,
rehabilitation services, and neurodevelopmental assessments.
As we have done for more than a century, I’m proud to say
that NSMC is providing exceptional care to the kids and
families of the North Shore.

“

WE ARE ALWAYS THINKING
ABOUT HOW TO MAKE EACH
FAMILY’S EXPERIENCE AS
PLEASANT AS POSSIBLE,
WHILE ENSURING THEIR
CHILD WILL BE WELL CARED
FOR IN ANY SITUATION.”

NSMC pediatric emergency physicians and nurses are
trained in distraction and sensitivity techniques and use a
variety of tools to make shots, stitches, inserting IVs and
drawing blood less traumatic for young patients, including:
•
•
•
•

Classes & Services
North Shore Medical Center offers a wide range of health
programs, classes, support groups and special events at our
locations in Salem, Lynn and Danvers.
Most classes begin in January, April, June and September.
Call or log on for more details.

To learn more, register online or sign up for
advanced email notification of class registration,
visit nsmc.partners.org, or call 1-978-825-6557.

Expanding Cardiology
Services on the North Shore

I just sneezed eleven times in a row.
Make it stop.
From allergies and colds to sprains and scrapes, North
Shore Urgent Care is here to take care of you when you’re
not feeling your best. Seven days a week in Danvers.
Mass General/North Shore Center for Outpatient Care

North Shore Physicians Group Cardiovascular Medicine

104 Endicott Street, Danvers • 978-739-7700

(Formerly North Shore Cardiovascular Associates),
is a practice of outstanding cardiovascular specialists
affiliated with North Shore Medical Center and
Massachusetts General Hospital. They have offices in
Salem and Danvers, and physicians from this practice will
soon begin seeing patients at NSPG’s Rowley location at
414 Haverhill Street.

Mon–Fri, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sat–Sun, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit northshoreurgentcare.org to Reserve
Your Spot In Line Before Leaving Home
Please note: North Shore Urgent Care is not an emergency room and only treats non-lifethreatening conditions. If you are experiencing a heart attack, stroke, chest pains or excessive
bleeding, please go directly to the nearest emergency room or call 911.

Please visit northshorephysicians.org to learn more.

HealthyLife | Giving

LEADERSHIP GIVING
& 1874 SOCIETY
NSMC gratefully acknowledges all gifts and pledges of $1,000 or more made
between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017. This list recognizes pledges
in the year they were made, at the full amount. Subsequent pledge payments
are acknowledged at the level of payment made in that year. Leadership gifts
support multiple construction and renovation projects that are critical to the
Medical Center as well as support innovations in healthcare delivery, purchase
new equipment and augment programs in patient care and education.

Collaborating with the
Mass General/North Shore
Center for Outpatient Care

“She makes it easy
to stay healthy.”
Our patients think the world of our primary care physicians,
and with timely appointments, convenient office locations
and a commitment to giving you the care and support
you need to stay healthy, it’s easy to see why.

Making your life healthy is our life’s work.

Adora
Maharaj, M.D.
Peabody

Thomas
Mulroy, M.D.
Beverly

Shawna
Barry, M.D.
Danvers

Oliver
Gregory, M.D.
Lynn

To learn more about our exceptional primary care physicians, please call our physician finder
service at 1-877-NSMC-MDS (1-877-676-2637) or visit us online at nsmc.partners.org.